TIL I was totally missing the point of 'watch order' debates

I always just watched shows in release order, but a friend in Chicago pointed out that for something like the Fate series, following the visual novel's intended route makes the themes way clearer. It clicked for me after trying the 'Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works' anime first instead of the 2006 version. Has anyone else had a show make more sense after switching up the order?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_cameron1d ago

Yeah the "intended route" thing is key. I saw a blog post arguing that release order for the Monogatari series ruins the mystery. Watching in chronological order spoils your own fun.

patriciareed1d ago

Ugh, hard agree. Release order is the only way for stuff like that. The whole point is the confusion, you're supposed to piece it together as you go. Watching it all straight through kills the vibe, it's like reading the last page of a mystery novel first. They put it out in that order for a reason, to make you think. Chronological is for a boring rewatch, not the first time.